Patricia Ann Vap Manning

Patricia Manning, 91, died peacefully at home December 25, 2024 after a brief decline in her health. She was born in Hastings, Nebraska, the fourth of six children born to Frank Theodore Vap and Cecilia Helen Karmazin. As a girl she helped gather eggs and care for their chickens, and gathered scrap metal for the war effort. In high school she was a majorette and drum major and participated in school plays.

Following high school, she attended nursing school in Billings, Montana at Saint Vincent’s, part of Carroll College, graduating in 1953. After working in Billings for a year and a half Patricia moved to Santa Monica, California and took a job at St. John’s Hospital. In California she met Marty Manning living in her same apartment building. Eventually Marty asked Patricia on a date and within a short time they were married, on June 22, 1957.

For thirteen years Patricia stayed home to raise the five children that came into their home. She was proud of her rose garden she cultivated in their yard on West Elm Place in Anaheim. She volunteered in her community, at church, and with her kid’s activities. When the youngest turned four, Patricia returned to work as a surgical nurse at St. Jude’s Hospital in Fullerton, California. Patricia and Marty divorced in 1976. Patricia continued to work at St. Jude’s Hospital for a total of 25 years until her retirement February 4, 1995. At the time of her retirement, Patricia had five grandchildren, all living in California.

In 2001, Patricia moved from Anaheim to Colorado Springs where her youngest daughter lived. She arrived just after the birth of her eighth and final grandchild, and was able to spend the next 23 years getting to know the three Colorado granddaughters.

In Colorado Springs Patricia became active at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in their Daughters of Mary service organization, helping with funeral arrangements, providing food, and crocheting bookmarks. She also volunteered in the kitchen for Silver Key a couple of days a week for several years.

Patricia loved to read, especially mystery novels. She also liked jigsaw puzzles, playing solitaire, and going out to lunch with friends. She enjoyed her reunions with her brothers and sister over the years, events they termed “sibfest.” Highlights at these get-togethers were hours and hours of playing the card game Five Crowns.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents Frank Theodore Vap and Cecilia Helen Karmazin, her siblings Archie (Phyllis), Ivan, Joan (Stan), Jerry (Pam), and Dan (Linda), her ex-husband Marty, and her son Tom. She is survived by daughter Carol Dunlea (Brian), sons James and Richard Manning, and daughter Julie Matheson (Brett), and by grandchildren Allen Dunlea (Abby), Kevin Dunlea, Patrick (Megan) Dunlea, Katie Reger Inocente (Luis), Garrett Reger (Amy), Erin Matheson, Carly Matheson, and Livia Matheson, and by great grandchildren Holden Reger, Alicio Inocente, Elwyn and Tighe Dunlea.

A funeral service for Patricia will be held Monday, January 6, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 11020 Teachout Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80908. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expy, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.